Are there names a company cannot adopt?

Names identical to existing companies, infringing trademarks, requiring Central Government approval (Bank, Insurance, National, India), or prohibited under law cannot be adopted.

What must be updated after a name change?

GST registration, PAN, TAN, bank accounts, statutory registers, letterheads and signboards, trademark registrations, IEC, and sector-specific licences must all be updated.

Company Name Change Services

Q: What is the full process for changing a company's name?

Board approval → RUN application → EGM with Special Resolution → INC-24 filing within 15 days → ROC issues fresh Certificate of Incorporation → Post-change updates across all registrations. Total: 6–8 weeks.

Q: Does the CIN change when a company changes its name?

No. CIN, PAN, TAN, and GSTIN remain the same. Only the name on the Certificate of Incorporation, GST certificate, and all company documents must be updated.

Q: Can a company be forced to change its name?

Yes. Under Section 16, the Central Government can direct a name change for identical/misleading names or trademark infringement. Court orders can also compel a name change.

Complete Guide to Changing a Company's Name Under Section 13 of the Companies Act, 2013 — From Name Approval to Fresh Certificate of Incorporation

A company may change its name by passing a Special Resolution in a General Meeting and obtaining approval of the Registrar of Companies (ROC). The process begins with a name availability check through the MCA's Reserve Unique Name (RUN) system and ends with the ROC issuing a fresh Certificate of Incorporation bearing the new name. The company's CIN, PAN, TAN, and GST registration remain unchanged — only the name on all documents, accounts, and registrations must be updated.

Name changes are typically undertaken when a company rebrands, undergoes a change of promoters or business direction, is required by a court or trademark order to change its name, or has been incorporated with a name that is too similar to another entity. Our services cover the complete name change process — from RUN application and Special Resolution to INC-24 filing and post-change compliance across all regulatory registrations.

Our Company Name Change Services

Name Availability Search

Search of MCA21 and trademark databases to identify available and legally compliant names — checking for similarity with existing company names, LLPs, trademarks, and names prohibited under the Companies (Incorporation) Rules.

RUN Name Approval

Filing of the Reserve Unique Name (RUN) application on the MCA21 portal for approval of the proposed new name — with supporting justification where the name has a trademark, brand significance, or other special basis.

Special Resolution & EGM

Drafting of the Board Resolution to convene an EGM, the Special Resolution for name change, and EGM notices and minutes — with coordinated shareholder communication and voting management.

INC-24 Filing

Preparation and filing of Form INC-24 on the MCA21 portal within 15 days of passing the Special Resolution — with the approved RUN, resolution, and amended MOA as mandatory attachments.

Post-Change Compliance

Comprehensive assistance with post-name-change updates — GST registration amendment, PAN and TAN update, bank account name change, trademark update, and revision of all statutory registers and company documents.

Trademark Advisory

Advisory on trademark registration of the new company name — ensuring the new name is registered as a trademark in relevant classes before the name change to prevent future disputes and infringement risks.

Key Facts About Company Name Change

A company name change requires a Special Resolution — at least 75% of votes cast at the General Meeting must be in favour
The proposed name must first be approved through the RUN system on MCA21 — the approved name is reserved for 20 days
Form INC-24 must be filed within 15 days of passing the Special Resolution, before the RUN reservation expires
The ROC issues a fresh Certificate of Incorporation with the new name — the company's CIN, PAN, and TAN remain the same
After name change, all company documents — letterheads, signboards, invoices, statutory registers — must be updated within 30 days
Central Government approval is required for name changes involving words like National, India, Bharat, Bank, Insurance, or Stock Exchange
A company cannot adopt a name identical or too similar to an existing company, LLP, or registered trademark — the ROC may reject such applications

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the full process for changing a company's name?

The name change process involves: (1) Board Meeting to approve the proposed name and authorize filing of RUN; (2) RUN application for name availability and approval (online, instantly processed); (3) Board Meeting to convene an EGM and issue notice; (4) EGM and passing of Special Resolution for name change and MOA amendment; (5) Filing of INC-24 within 15 days of the Special Resolution with the approved RUN reference; (6) ROC review and issuance of fresh Certificate of Incorporation with the new name; and (7) Post-change updates across all registrations, bank accounts, and company documents. The entire process typically takes 6 to 8 weeks.

Does the CIN change when a company changes its name?

No. The Corporate Identity Number (CIN) of the company does not change when the company changes its name. The CIN is a permanent 21-character identifier assigned at incorporation. However, the company name portion of the CIN as displayed on the MCA portal is updated to reflect the new name. Similarly, the company's PAN, TAN, and GSTIN remain the same after a name change — only the name on the GST registration certificate needs to be updated through an amendment application on the GST portal.

Are there any names that cannot be adopted by a company?

Yes. Companies cannot adopt names that: (1) are identical or nearly identical to an existing registered company or LLP name; (2) infringe a registered trademark without the trademark holder's written consent; (3) are undesirable or offensive under the Companies (Incorporation) Rules; (4) include words requiring Central Government approval — such as Bank, Insurance, Stock Exchange, National, Bharat, India, Government, or names suggesting a connection with government bodies; (5) suggest patronage of the Central or State Government without approval; or (6) are prohibited under any other law in force.

What must be updated after a company changes its name?

After receiving the fresh Certificate of Incorporation, the company must update: (1) GST registration — through a non-core field amendment on the GST portal; (2) PAN and TAN — through applications to the Income Tax Department; (3) bank accounts — by providing the fresh Certificate of Incorporation to all banks; (4) all statutory registers — Register of Members, Register of Directors, and other statutory records; (5) company letterheads, invoices, signboards, and all commercial documents; (6) trademark registrations — by recording the name change with the Trademark Registry; (7) import-export code (IEC) — through DGFT; and (8) any sector-specific licences and approvals.

Can a company be forced to change its name?

Yes. Under Section 16 of the Companies Act, the Central Government can direct a company to change its name within 3 months if: (1) the name is identical or too closely resembles the name of an already-registered company; (2) the company obtained registration through misrepresentation; or (3) the name infringes a registered trademark and the trademark holder makes an application. The Intellectual Property Appellate Board or courts can also direct a name change where the company name infringes intellectual property rights. Companies must comply with such directions within the stipulated time or face penalties.

Change Your Company Name — From Approval to Compliance

Expert RUN filing, Special Resolution management, INC-24 filing, and post-change regulatory updates.